The 68,000 tickets were distributed equally to both schools. Thousands more people gathered outside the stadium to be close to the excitement. The national broadcast was carried on NBC.

Auburn led by a 7-6 score at the half. Alabama returner Ray Ogden caught the kickoff seven yards deep in his own end zone and ran untouched the length of the field for an Alabama touchdown. The play is sometimes cited as an inspiration for the football career of Winston Groom's fictional "Forrest Gump" character. Groom was a student at Alabama in 1964, but has not confirmed any specific connection to Ogden or his 107-yard return touchdown. Auburn's All-American fullback Tucker Frederickson gave a gutsy performance, but Alabama quarterback Joe Namath and receiver Ray Perkins secured the Tide's 21-14 victory.

Following a loss by Notre Dame, the final Associated Press poll, which then preceded the year-end bowl games, put Alabama in the top spot, giving them a claim to the national championship. The Tide went on to the Orange Bowl where they were upset by Texas 21-17.